Buffalo, N.Y. (WBEN) - New York Gov. Kathy Hochul announced on Tuesday she'll welcome recently fired federal workers to work for New York State. However, that proposal has concerns from one area state lawmaker.
"The federal government might say, ‘You’re fired,’ but here in New York, we say, ‘You’re hired.’ In fact, we love federal workers," said Gov. Hochul on Tuesday. "Whatever your skills, we value public service. You can check out potential jobs at ny.gov/wewantyou."
State Assemblymember Angelo Morinello (R) says it's not a great idea.
"If she's referring to jobs within the government, we're bloated already, and to add more to the government would just be additional waste of taxpayer money," said Morinello in an interview with WBEN.
If general jobs need to be filled, Morinello feels there are many unemployed people within the state, and waiving civil service requirements and giving extra benefits should go to residents who have been here and suffered through high taxes.
Morinello says New York State has a spending problem, not a revenue problem.
"But they keep coming up with different gimmicks," Morinello noted. "I think this is just another gimmick." He also wonders if this is a way of fighting the federal government. "Is that what this is about? So it's questionable, and the timing of it is suspect."
According to Morinello, one of his colleagues in Albany has put in a bill for lawmakers to do a little bit of investigating, similar to DOGE, as to where the wasteful spending is, and if there's a need for so many government employees.
"Government in New York is very slow to respond, and it's not by lack of people, it's just by lack of focus," Morinello claimed.
Morinello says this would add more bloat to an already $254 billion state budget.